How to Become a US Marshal

US Marshal Service is a branch of law enforcement that forms a part of the Department of Justice. When you become a US Marshal, you will have a wide range of duties that could include transporting prisoners, serving arrest warrants, and hunting down fugitives. They also provide protective services to people who may be in danger. The United States Marshal Service, sometimes known as USMS is the oldest branch of law enforcement in the country.

If you are interested in law enforcement, have a good attention to detail, and want a job where you can make a positive contribution to your community, then you might consider becoming a US Marshal.

Those that join the ranks can look forward to job security, as well as a good salary. US Marshals are stationed all around the country.

Education Requirements to Become a US Marshal

To become a US Marshal you must be a US citizen between the ages of 18 and 36. You will need your high school diploma and a bachelor's degree from college. If you have three years of experience in law enforcement, you do not need to have a college degree. It's also important that you have your driver's license, and no criminal record.

Once you have met all of these requirements you will be able to take an entrance exam. Based on your scores in this exam, you may be selected for a face to face interview. You will be questioned about your personal qualities, background, and past employment.

After the personal interview, you will need to give permission for a background check to take place. Your background, criminal history, and employment will all be looked into. This takes roughly 90 days to complete.

You will also need to complete a medical screening as well as pass a fitness test. The fitness test will require you to complete a run within a specific time frame, be within a certain body weight, and also prove your strength and flexibility. Different standards of fitness are required for men and women, as well as people in different age groups.

If you are selected to become a US Marshal, you will then need to head to the training academy in Georgia.

US Marshal Job Description

A US Marshal may accompany a prisoner from a jail to a court, or to other locations. They also serve arrest warrants and hunt fugitives. The USMS also runs the witness protection system, so you could be moving a witness or guarding them. They also work as guards for people whose lives may be at risk.

Here are some of the job requirements of a US Marshal

Enforce federal laws

Receive prisoners into federal custody

Escorts prisoners to jails and courts

Guard prisoners receiving medical care

Protects court personnel, including jurors

Protects witnesses in court

Provides witness protection outside of court

Serves warrants

Aids other law enforcement agencies in raids or large operations

The job description of a US Marshal can vary somewhat. When you become a US Marshal, there is also scope to specialize in one particular area of service. The three major branches are judicial protection, transport, investigative operations, prisoner operations, tactical operations, asset forfeiture, and witness security.

US Marshal Salary and Career Path

When you become a US Marshal, you will start your career in an entry level position, no matter what your background or education in law enforcement is. These entry level positions pay between $46,000 and $56,000 a year.

After one year of service, most are eligible for promotion. While you will start out completing generalized duties, you may at this point decide to work within one particular area.

There are also health insurance, life insurance, and a pension plan on offer for US Marshals. There are good sick leave and annual leave benefits which increase with years of service.

If you are looking for a career in law enforcement that offers flexibility, security, and a promising future, then you might like to become a US Marshal. Initial entry into this agency may be competitive, but those who qualify are well looked after and offered many opportunities for professional development and career advancement.